One of USA Network‘s signature series, drama White Collar, is poised to wrap its run with a six-episode sixth and final season. There is no official word yet, but I hear the network and series producer Fox TV Studios are finalizing the deal. The size of the order looks like a compromise between a movie/mini-series conclusion USA had been considering and a full-length season, sought by producer FfvS. Season 5 ended with a cliffhanger involving the abduction of Neal Caffrey (Matt Bomer). All of USA’s other established series — Monk, Burn Notice (also produced by FtvS), Psych and In Plain Sight — also had received a proper send-off. Moved to fall for the first time since its first season, White Collar got dinged up against in-season competition but rebounded in January when the conclusion of Season 5 averaged 2.8 million viewers in Live+Same Day, up 22% from fall, and 955,000 adults 18-49, up 32%.
With ratings still solid, the renewal negotiations zeroed in on the show’s economics. At this point in the run of a series, a network is responsible for the full production cost. With a well-known cast and extensive location shoots in New York, White Collar is an expensive show. What’s more, it is not owned by USA. USA parent NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment has made owning content a priority with the appointments of Jeff Wachtel and Dawn Olmstead to spearhead in-house production efforts. The network has a lot of projects in the pipeline and has been going through a portfolio changeover, replacing its older shows with new ones. From a business perspective, continuing White Collar at the current price tag might not have made a lot of sense for USA. But from a legacy standpoint, the show — which boasts one of the network’s most recognizable stars in Bomer and is one of is USA’s best critically received series — deserved a proper conclusion. (FtvS also had been willing to shoulder the cost of a final season and was open to a lower license fee.)
Source: Deadline
Sad… sad… sad.
awwww. :'(
Loved White Collar but just a stepping stone for Matt. Film is where he belongs.
how very sad!!
but at least it seems to get a proper ending
Of course we would have preferred a full season 6 episodes but it’s better than nothing, especially after being in doubt and fear never know who may be kidnapped Neal.et we know that he will live with his new life. I would very much like it is with Sara, because i want Neal, after all what he did for the FBI and all that he has suffered, finds, after that to him have too often been denied, his freedom . Neal I want to be happy and obviously that Mozzie rest beside him.
This is bitter-sweet news. It is a relief that we will get a proper conclusion – but very sad that it won’t be a full season as White Collar and cast truly deserve. Fortunately I can continue seeing beautiful Matt Bomer in many other upcoming productions and not have to say good bye to his gorgeous self for good.
However, I will really miss Neal Caffrey because he is just THAT unforgettable. 🙁
I hope that Matt will get other series, he is so good.
Sad but not surprised hope there is a happy ending any way.
I’m so sad! I’ll miss “White Collar”. I love this series. I’ll never forget Neal Caffrey. But I’ll feel a lot more miss Matt. He’s so wonderful. I hope he continues in another series on TV. And acting in many movies. We can’t live without his beauty, his voice and his talent. That yummy way he has. Don’t leave us, Matt!
Its nice to know what is happening at last. Very sad news for me.
White Collar has been my favourite show since its inception. Thanks
to the whole team for a great show. Looking forward to the 6th season – what will I do without Matt and Tim.
6 is better than 0, but I would have liked a complete season. The cast & crew deserved that. I hope they wind it up well. Also, I can’t imagine what USA is thinking to turn down Fox’s offer to finance the last season’s 16 episodes. I’m afraid they are ruining what used to be a good network, I will watch Matt in anything he does, but I really like being able to look forward to seeing him on a weekly basis from time to time. I hope the cast and writers go on to bigger and better things in the future and in the meantime, thanks for giving us the most fun on TV for 6 years!
I’m a little sad about this: after all those months they left us waiting…only 6 episode? they could do an effort and shoot a full season if, as said above, WC is still one of the hit series.
I hope to see Matt in others project, obviously, but a tv series is something more sure, cause you know how many episode they are. with movies, you can’t know if someone call you to shot one
So sad. I love the series. Love the chemistry between Matt and Tim. Mr. Bomer is beautiful, elegant and a very talented actor. Hope to see him in bigger roles. Hugs from Uruguay!!!
So not ready to say good-bye to Neal Caffrey. Matt Bomer brought this wonderful character to life and he stole our hearts with a simple smile. Wishing the cast and crew all the best in the future. It was a wonderful run … the best show on TV!
I agree with you Sharon M..
Better a short season 6 as no season.
Matt is not entirely out of the world…
Only by Neal Caffrey we have to say goodbye sometime